and the decanate of Luna; but the second face of Luna the decanate of Jupiter. Serpents are tormented when the Sun is in Cancer; also, that Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn, because they constitute the earthly and southern triplicity, do cure hot infirmities, and prevail against the synocal fever; it makes those who carry it grateful, acceptable, eloquent, devout and religious; because they are the houses of Venus, Mars, and Saturn. Capricorn also is certain to keep men in safety, and also places in security, because it is the exaltation of Mars.
IMAGES OF THE PLANETS.
But now what images should you attribute to the planets. Although of these things very large volumes have been written by the antient wise men, so that there is no need to declare them here, notwithstanding I will recite a few of them; for the operations of Saturn, Saturn ascending in a stone, which is called the load-stone, make the image of a man, having the countenance of a hart, and earners feet, and sitting upon a chair or else a dragon, holding in his right hand a scythe, in his left a dart, which image will be profitable for prolongation of life; for Adepts, in their teachings, prove that Saturn conduces to the prolongation of life; where, also, they prove that certain regions of India being subject to Saturn, there men are of a very long life, and die not unless by extreme old age. They make, also, an image of Saturn, for length of days, in a sapphire, at the hour of Saturn, Saturn ascending or fortunately constituted: whose figure was an old man sitting upon a high chair, having his hands lifted above his head, and in them holding a fish or sickle, and under his feet a bunch of grapes, his head covered with a black or dusky coloured cloth, and all his garments black or dark. Also make this same image against the stone, and diseases of the kidnies, viz. in the hour of Saturn, Saturn ascending with the third face of Aquarius. Make also, from the operations of Saturn, an image for the increasing of power, Saturn ascending in Capricorn; the form of which was an old man leaning on a staff, having in his hand a crooked sickle, and clothed in black. Make an image of melted copper, Saturn ascending in his rising, viz. in the first degree of Aries, or the first degree of Capricorn; which image I affirm to speak with a man's voice. Make also, from the operations of Saturn and also Mercury, an image of cast metal, like a beautiful man, which will assist you to foretell things to come; and make it on the day of Mercury, on the third hour of Saturn, the sign of Gemini ascending, being the house of Mercury, signifying prophets; Saturn and Mercury being in conjunction in Aquarius, in the ninth house of heaven, which is also called God. Moreover, let Saturn have a trine aspect on the ascendant, and the Moon in like manner, and the Sun have an aspect on the place of conjunction;
